Ravens Rookie EDGE Zion Young Is Progressing Well in Transition to NFL

The Baltimore Ravens' second-round rookie is on track to have an immediate impact in year one with how quickly he's adjusting to the pro level.

Jul 30, 2026; Owings Mills, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Zion Young (9) during practice drills at Under Armour Peformance Center. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

There's a lot that goes into making the leap from competing at the highest level in college football to playing against the best in the world at the professional level. While some first-year pros have a steeper learning curve than others, there are those who take to the increased speed, physicality and need to be more technically proficient faster than most.

Baltimore Ravens second-round rookie outside linebacker Zion Young falls into the latter category as he has been progressing at a steady rate since rookie minicamp, making noticeable strides at every stage along the way.

"He's been improving so much," second-year outside linebacker Mike Green said. "Just a young guy coming straight from college — to come in here and [have] big expectations, he's been taking large leaps. It's just like a typical rookie thing [in that] some guys can get stuck, [but] he's been taking some huge steps, and that's probably the hardest thing you can do as a rookie. He's been great for us so far, and we're excited [about] what he can do for us."

Green knows all about what it's like to be a highly drafted edge defender who was a first-round talent and expected to produce right away because he just did last year after being the Ravens 2025 second-rounder. He was thrust into a larger-than-expected role as a rookie, recording 3.5 sacks, and ended up leading his entire position group in defensive snaps played.

In Young's eyes, the aspect of his game where he has made the most progress since coming in at reporting to rookie camp in early May until now in the first training camp of his pro career is in his alignment at the line of scrimmage.

"In college, it is a lot of offset back' and here is a lot of under center," Young said. "So, [it is] my alignment for the most part, knowing who is beside me and the reason, the whole situation, my whole defense. I am just understanding that."

Even before the Ravens put pads on for the first time last week, the former Missouri Tiger's physicality and power were apparent, and he didn't disappoint once the pads finally did come on. He's been a regular backfield disrupter during practice, living up to his pre-draft prowess as a run defender with several blown-up plays at and behind the line of scrimmage.

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"You just watch him out here, and the way he plays down-in and down-out is unbelievable," Ravens outside linebackers coach Harland Bower said.

Young and the rest of the Ravens rookie will get their first taste of all-out and full-contact NFL action in the team's preseason opener this upcoming Saturday when the Philadelphia Eagles come to town. As amped as he was to put on pads for the first time last week, he's even more fired up to finally put on his full uniform for the first time and get to go up against someone in a different colored jersey.

"I am not where I want to be yet, but knowing the game [is] coming up next week, I am just preparing myself [and] taking it a day at a time," Young said.

Doing what it takes to be successful in all facets

Jul 17, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Missouri Tigers defensive end Zion Young talks to the media during the SEC Media Days at Omni Atlanta Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

While what Young does on the field and puts on film is the final product, he is also conducting himself like a true professional off the field to make sure he can stay on it and be ready to be at his best when his number is called, such as monitoring his diet and getting proper treatment for his body.

"We have good nutritionists here. They set you up," Young said. "They help you be where you want to be. So, it is the same if you are coming from a good college. I came from Missouri, so we had good nutritionists, and we had good athletic training. They held me accountable for the most part. I came here and they are doing the same thing, [holding] me to that standard. So, it has been pretty cool."

Another asset that has been integral in his adjustment to the NFL is his childhood friend and former Westlake High School teammate, cornerback Nate Wiggins. They grew up together in Atlanta, Georgia, remained close and Wiggins has helped him stay on track so that they both can be disruptive forces for the Ravens on defense.

"He has just been holding me accountable," Young said. "The small stuff, just me leaving stuff around my locker, he is holding me accountable. He has always been a fun guy to play with. He is a freakish athlete, so I have had fun playing with him. I am still having fun. It is crazy [that] we are in the NFL together now [on the] same team."